Arriving Early At Santiago Airport: How Early Is Too Early?

Santiago Airport in Chile is a busy airport with two terminals. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport two to three hours before a domestic flight and three to four hours before an international flight. This is to allow time for check-in, bag drop, and security. During high season, it is recommended that passengers arrive even earlier to allow for longer waiting times at border and security control.

Domestic flights: arrive 2 hours before departure

Santiago Airport recommends that passengers arrive two to three hours before their scheduled departure time for domestic flights. This is to allow for unforeseen delays, such as longer waiting times during high season, and to ensure that you have enough time to reach your boarding gate. It is also important to remember to print off all your travel documents (e-ticket, boarding pass, etc.) before you arrive at the airport. Most airlines allow passengers to check in online and receive their boarding pass before travelling to the airport, which can save time.

International flights: arrive 3 hours before departure

Santiago Airport recommends that passengers arrive three hours before their scheduled departure time for international flights. This is to allow for unforeseen delays and to ensure that you have enough time to check in, drop off any luggage, and go through security. During high season, it is especially important to arrive early as border and security control procedures tend to result in longer waiting times.

Santiago Airport has two terminals, both of which have signage in Spanish and English. It is easy to locate your airline's kiosk to check in or drop off a bag. There are also self-service booths where you can print your boarding pass before heading to security. Each terminal has one security checkpoint. If you are travelling with carry-on luggage only and have checked in online, you can proceed directly to security. Remember to print off all your travel documents (e.g. e-ticket, boarding pass) before arriving at the airport.

LATAM Airlines recommends arriving early to allow enough time to reach your boarding gate, which may be located in zone A or B of Terminal 1.

One passenger reported that they went through security at 7 am and it took 10-15 minutes.

High season: arrive early to allow for longer waiting times

Santiago Airport is located in Chile. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport early to allow for unforeseen delays. During high season, it is especially important to arrive early as the border and security control procedures tend to result in longer waiting times.

If you are travelling on an international flight, you should arrive at the airport three hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. For domestic flights, you should arrive two hours before your flight. If you are travelling to a destination in the Schengen area, it is recommended that you arrive an hour and a half before your scheduled departure time. If you are travelling with carry-on luggage only, you can check in online and print off your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport, allowing you to proceed directly to the security checkpoints.

Santiago Airport has two terminals, with signage in Spanish and English. Each terminal has one security checkpoint, which can be located in the west section (poniente) of Terminal 1.

Schengen area: arrive 1.5 hours before departure

Santiago Airport recommends that passengers arrive at the airport with enough time to allow for unforeseen delays. For flights to destinations in the Schengen area, it is recommended that passengers arrive an hour and a half before the scheduled time of departure. This is to allow enough time to reach your boarding gate, which may be located in zone A or B of the terminal.

Passengers can save time by checking in online on their airline's website prior to travelling to the airport. You will receive your boarding pass when checking in, allowing you to proceed directly to the security checkpoints if you are travelling with carry-on luggage only. Remember to print off all your travel documents (e-ticket, boarding pass, etc.) before you get to the airport.

During high season, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport earlier than usual, as the border and security control procedures tend to result in longer waiting times. If you have an international flight, you must arrive at the airport three hours before your flight departs. For domestic flights, you must arrive at the airport two hours before your flight departs.

Santiago Airport has signage in Spanish and English, making it easy to locate your airline kiosk if you need to check in or drop off a bag. There are also lots of self-service booths where you can print off your boarding pass before heading to security.

Online check-in: check-in online before travelling to the airport

Santiago Airport recommends arriving two to three hours before the scheduled time of departure for national flights and three to four hours for international flights. However, if your flight is to a destination in the Schengen area, you should arrive an hour and a half before the scheduled time of departure, and three hours for flights outside the Schengen area.

Online check-in is available for most airlines, and you will receive your boarding pass when checking in. This allows you to proceed directly to the security checkpoints if you are travelling with carry-on luggage only. Remember to print off all your travel documents, such as your e-ticket and boarding pass, before you leave for the airport.

Santiago Airport has signage in both Spanish and English, making it easy to locate your airline kiosk if you need to check in or drop off a bag. There are also self-service booths where you can print your boarding pass before heading to security. The domestic boarding area is located in the west section (poniente) of Terminal 1, and your boarding gate may be located in zone A or B of the terminal.

During high season, it is recommended to arrive early at the airport, as border and security control procedures can result in longer waiting times. If you have an international flight, you must arrive at the airport three hours before your flight departs. For domestic flights, the recommended arrival time is two hours before departure.

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